Continuing our sit down with businessman and skier, Ira Riklis, we asked, “What type of skier are you?”:
“I’m what would be called a mountain cruiser. I like to go down groomed slopes, the steeper the better, but always groomed. I will cruise at anywhere from 20 to 45 miles per hour and can travel down Vail Mountain, top to bottom, non-stop in 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the path and the conditions (and the traffic from other skiers).
“Most people consider an expert skier to be someone that can handle a bump run, a ski run covered in deep moguls. These types of runs would be problematic for me for two reasons. First, I’m skiing on long, stiff, racing skis. My skis are not designed to allow the tight turns in the confines of the crevices in between moguls. My skis are designed to maintain contact with the snow while I bank a tight turn at high speed.
“If I were to be on mogul skis, or other recreational style skis, the pressure on my legs and feet to maintain the carve of my turn under high speed and steep angle would be most unpleasant. Second, and in that same mode, if I go down a mogul run, I use up my legs and energy and would have to rest for a couple of days afterwards. This just doesn’t appeal to me. “
Look for future parts of our interview with Ira Riklis in coming days.